The political polarization that has made California a center of resistance to the Trump Administration drew a host of engaged new activists to last weekend's Democratic state convention in San Diego, where the party's progressive coalition prevailed in denying incumbent Sen. Dianne Feinstein the party's endorsement of her re-election bid.

Among the newcomers were several freshly chosen delegates from the Coachella Valley who trekked to San Diego to stake out a presence at the convention and further educate themselves on the issues.

Paulina Larson, who works in marketing at Palm Springs Life, was a first-time delegate. She was appointed by Congressman Raul Ruiz.

She said the 2016 election was the catalyst that convinced her she needed to become more politically active on immigration, the environment and homelessness—three issues she said she observes firsthand in the Coachella Valley.

“What really motivated me to get involved was watching Trump, Hillary and the election unfold and feeling so unable to do anything because I got involved too late," Larson said. "An awakening happened within me.”

Maria Elena Morales, an Indio native, currently works on criminal justice issues at the ACLU’s San Diego chapter. She was also participating in the convention for the first time. “I'm supporting people who are here to support formerly incarcerated people and who believe in change in our criminal justice system,” she said.

Four years ago, at the 2014 Convention, criminal justice issues proved to be divisive among Democrats. The party endorsed Proposition 47, which reduces sentences for certain felonies–like drug possession and petty theft. Feinstein, one of the state’s most high profile Democrats, came out against the proposition. She wrote in the Los Angeles Daily News: “The reduction in sentences proposed by Proposition 47 would ultimately lead to the release of thousands of dangerous criminals, and a wholesale reclassification of many dangerous felonies as misdemeanors would put the people of California at continued risk going forward.”

For the first time in over a quarter century, Feinstein is facing a tough primary challenge from CA Senate President Pro Tem Kevin DeLeon, who did not take a position on Proposition 47 in 2014. As of the convention, DeLeon’s campaign website does not mention criminal justice reform.

Morales said that walking around the convention center, it’s easy to think: “‘Oh my gosh, we don't belong here!’ or ‘I should have worn a suit!’ or ‘I don't even have a suit!’”

But she’s unfazed because she feels strongly that formerly incarcerated people, herself included, need to be visible to advocate for criminal justice reform and fight the stigmas that still exist within the Democratic party.

“My being here is going to create a space for people who come from the neighborhoods, that have black and brown skin, that have tattoos, that have felt like, 'You can't be here, this is not your space,’” she said.

She added: “Growing up in Indio or just the Coachella Valley, there was no space to uplift our voices and our communities.”

Unlike Morales and Larson, Lanny Swerdlow of Riverside is a longtime convention attendee. But similarly, he is trying to gain a foothold among the Democratic Party's more established players. Swerdlow was in attendance with the Brownie Mary Democrats and wants to further mainstream cannabis in the state's Democratic Party.

In 2008, Swerdlow spearheaded efforts to amend the zoning code in Palm Springs to allow for the operation of medical marijuana dispensaries. Now, he is pushing for Riverside County to allow more recreational cannabis businesses. "What's happening now is a committee is drafting an ordinance that is going to allow commercial distribution and manufacturing(of cannabis) in unincorporated areas of Riverside County," he said.

Members of the committee include Riverside County Supervisors Kevin Jeffries and Chuck Washington. Swerdlow hopes that the ordinance will soon be available for public comment so that it can appear on November's ballot.

The mainstreaming of cannabis into California's Democratic Party is a relatively new development. In 2016, Proposition 64—which allowed for adult use of recreational marijuana—passed, but only after dividing the party. Sen. Feinstein came out against the proposition in a joint statement issued with Doug Villars, the president of California's Association of Highway Patrolmen and C. Duane Dauner, the president of the California Hospital Association.

The issue has particular relevance in the Coachella Valley, known for being one of California's most pot-friendly regions. Proposition 64 legalizes cannabis at a state level, but lets cities set local rules. Valley cities have taken different approaches on cannabis sales, cultivation and delivery.

The display belonging to Swerdlow and the Brownie Mary Democrats appeared alongside displays touting various candidates and propositions on California's 2018 ballot.

Brownie Mary's display was equipped with bead necklaces and a cornucopia of pamphlets.There was also a cereal box featuring Michael Phelps, the decorated Olympic swimmer who appeared with drug paraphernalia in a photo that surfaced in 2014.

A placard featured Phelps and Jamaican track star Usain Bolt above an explanation which read, "One man is the fastest on the land. One man is the fastest in the water. Both smoke marijuana to relax and have 26 Olympic medals combined."

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Brownie Mary Democrats set up a display of signs at the 2018 California Democratic Convention(Photo: Sam Metz, The Desert Sun)

The Brownie Mary cohort and its DIY booth stood out among the polished of displays advocating for various candidates and the sleek-looking, suited political staffers positioned behind them.

In many ways, the contrast reflected the overarching tensions currently brewing in Democratic Party politics, particularly in California. Grassroots activists, emboldened by the unexpected success of Sen. Bernie Sanders in the 2016 Democratic primary, are supporting less established candidates and causes and challenging those who—both in the progressive and centrist wings of the party—traditionally prevail and attract the most donor dollars.